WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW TO HELP THE ANIMALS OF THE
LA/SPCA AND LOUISIANA?

Three years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. As a result, our devastated communities realized how important our companion animals were to the well-being of its citizens. Almost half of those who stayed behind said they did not leave because they could not take their pets.

Fast-forward three years and Hurricane Gustav tested the preparedness of New Orleans. With possible new storms lined up to affect the Gulf Coast, the Louisiana SPCA is determined to make sure that everyone has a pet evacuation plan and the companion animals of the area are out of harm’s way.

By the time Gustav had entered the Gulf, the LA/SPCA already put a pre-evacuation plan for area animals into effect. Senior director of Emergency Services for HSUS, Scotlund Haisley, applauded the work of the LA/SPCA for "their quick response in evacuating their shelter three days in advance of any mandatory evacuation orders."

Over the course of just 18 hours, the LA/SPCA team successfully:

• Erected an entire temporary animal shelter in Baton Rouge;

• Evacuted all LA/SPCA animals to Baton Rouge or Dallas;

• Cleaned and assembled over 600 transport kennels;

• Retrieved St. John Parish and St. Bernard Parish's adoptable animals
  and transported them to Dallas;

• Supplied Jefferson Parish with kennels and transportation for their adoptable animals;

• Walked, watered, and vaccinated all animals prior to transport;

• Manually loaded almost 500 animals for transport to Dallas;

• Collaborated with SPCA of Texas transport team to double/triple/quadruple check paperwork ensuring that those animals leaving our area were ready for immediate adoption.

While transporting the LA/SPCA’s animals to safety, the staff of the LA/SPCA also participated in the first-ever city-wide assisted pet evacuation plan, which provided evacuation and sheltering assistance for pet owners who lacked transportation or had other special needs. It was the first time in the city’s history that animals were evacuated prior to a natural disaster.

“Evacuees were very appreciative, telling us they did not evacuate for Hurricane Katrina, and would have stayed for Gustav if they couldn't evacuate with their pets,” said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the LA/SPCA.

The LA/SPCA is also caring for and sheltering the pets of First Responders from New Orleans, including 21 dogs (13 of which are NOPD working K9 dogs), one horse, one snake, and one parrot! The New Orleans First Responders were extremely grateful to LA/SPCA for coming to their aid to care for their pets while they worked in the city as essential personnel.

Images of animals during and in the aftermath of Katrina are embedded in our memories. The LA/SPCA is determined that the animal related tragedies of Hurricane Katrina will never happen again, and the LA/SPCA is leading that charge.

That is why we need you to make a donation to the LA/SPCA TODAY to help us care for the animals affected by Gustav and any other natural disasters that may already be headed our way this hurricane season.



Please help us help those that can't speak for themselves. Make your donation to the LA/SPCA today, so we can ALWAYS be prepared to help animals in need.

THANK YOU!

# # #

Back to News & Press Releases